World's biggest, baddest national parks

Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland: When Denmark decided to establish a wilderness area in its protectorate Greenland, the country did it once and did it right. The only national park on the world's largest island is bigger than all but 30 countries. Forty percent of the world's musk ox population, as well as polar bears, walrus, arctic fox, snowy owls and numerous other species call this place home. If you want to visit, make sure to plan your trip and pack carefully. This area stays in near-darkness for four months out of the year and summer temperatures are rarely above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Shutterstock

Chagos Marine Protected Area, British Indian Ocean Territory: This marine reserve, located in the central Indian Ocean, is twice the size of the UK and protects the world's largest coral atoll and one of the most pristine reefs in the world. Thanks to a generous donation from the Bertarelli Foundation (funded by Italian-born Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli), the policing of this no-take protected area will be funded through 2015. The Chagos Archipelago comprises 55 tiny islands home to 20 species of coral, 784 different species of fish, green and Hawksbill turtles, 18 species of birds, and the world's largest terrestrial arthropod: the coconut crab. Wikimedia Commons

Phoenix Islands Protected Area, Kiribati: Although this protected area is roughly the size of California, its total land area is just 9.7 square miles. PIPA includes all eight atolls and low reef islands of the Kiribati section of the Phoenix Islands, and its abundance of extinct underwater volcanoes provide a variety of marine habitats. Conservation International named the Phoenix Islands as a Key Biodiversity Area and five of the eight islands were named Important Bird Areas by Birdlife International. This area is home to what is believed to be the the largest concentrations of some species in the world, including the vulnerable white-throated (Polynesian) storm-petrel, lesser frigatebird and blue noddy. Wikimedia Commons

Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii and the Midway Atoll: Papahanaumokuakea became the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site when it made the list on July 30, 2010. The unique nomination recognized the area's significant biological and cultural importance. Indigenous Hawaiians navigated these waters for thousands of years and modern Hawaiians still travel through the area in traditional double-hulled sailing canoes for navigational training. In addition, Papahanaumokuakea is a nesting and foraging ground for 14 million seabirds and one of the last predator-dominated coral reef ecosystems on Earth with an abundance of sharks and jacks.
This protected area includes ten islands and atolls in the northwest main Hawaiian Archipelago and includes the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Battle of Midway National Memorial, Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary at Kure Atoll and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands State Marine Refuge. Flickr/USFWS Pacific

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia: The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef (and largest living structure) on the planet, and was elected a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. The marine park includes 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and approximately 150 inshore mangrove islands. Home to 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusk and endangered species including the dugong and the large green turtle, this area is of significant scientific interest and biological importance. Shutterstock

Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe: This extensive network of parks (also called KAZA) provides vital transfrontier wildlife corridors for species such as lion, zebra, wildebeest and Africa's largest contigous elephant populations. KAZA includes 17 different game and national parks including Victoria Falls National Park (pictured) and Zambezi National Park. Shutterstock

Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador: When Charles Darwin first visited the Galapagos in 1835, he was struck by how much species varied from island to island. In fact, his observations of the different iguanas, tortoises and -- in particular -- finches during his initial five-week visit inspired his theory of evolution. Found at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galapagos has a unique mix of marine species, such as sharks and rays. In addition, the unique altitude, orientation and extreme isolation of the islands led to the evolution of an unusual array of terrestrial wildlife. The Galapagos boasts many different reptiles including lizards, geckos and 11 subspecies of giant tortoises. With the exception of two marine tortoises, these reptiles are all endemic. Notable birds include a vast array of Darwin's finches, the Galapagos flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin and lava gull. Shutterstock

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe: Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park covers regions of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, creating a transborder wilderness including some of the most established wildlife areas in Southern Africa such as Kruger National Park and Limpopo National Park. Visitors to the area can see the continent's famous Big 5: Lions, leopards, African elephants, cape buffalo and rhinoceros. Shutterstock

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Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe: Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park covers regions of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, creating a transborder wilderness including some of the most established wildlife areas in Southern Africa such as Kruger National Park and Limpopo National Park. Visitors to the area can see the continent's famous Big 5: Lions, leopards, African elephants, cape buffalo and rhinoceros.(Photo: Shutterstock)

What do you imagine when you hear the word "wilderness?" Odds are your vision involves pristine rivers and lakes, untouched swaths of land and the possibility to go for weeks or months on end without seeing another living soul (but plenty of wildlife, of course).

While there are numerous incredible protected areas around the globe, size matters when it comes to getting away from it all. This is why we decided to take a look at the biggest, baddest national parks on the planet. These are the places where you can truly escape and travel for hundreds -- or thousands -- of miles through backcountry ranging from African savanna to alpine meadows.

Of course, when speaking of these huge protected areas, using the word "national park" is a bit misleading. While some -- such as the only American destination to make the list -- fall under this category, others are called "reserves" or "conservation areas," among other titles. The diversity continues from there. While the entirety of some wilderness areas falls in one country, others span several to create massive, trans-boundary escapes. To further differentiate, some protected areas are marine parks, while others are some of the most arid regions of the world. Still, they all have one thing in common: They preserve the idea of wilderness better than any other spot on the planet simply based on their sheer size. Nowhere else on Earth can you wander so far without the sights or sound of civilization.

It's also interesting to note that, in recent years, some protected areas have been expanding thanks to the work of International Peace Parks in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as efforts by Transfrontier Conservation Areas in southern Africa.

Expanding the wilderness across country borders has numerous positive impacts. For instance, large mammal herds can migrate over their historic territory regardless of political borders and governments can boost eco-tourism by allowing visitors to cross areas covering several countries without legal concerns.

While none of the Transfrontier Parks made this list, Peace Parks include the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Odds are, the world's largest parks will shift over the next several decades as these organizations begin to play a greater role in conservation.

When Denmark decided to establish a wilderness area in its protectorate Greenland, the country did it once and did it right. The only national park on the world's largest island is bigger than all but 30 countries. Forty percent of the world's musk ox population, as well as polar bears, walrus, arctic fox, snowy owls and numerous other species call this place home. If you want to visit, make sure to plan your trip and pack carefully. This area stays in near-darkness for four months out of the year and summer temperatures are rarely above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Chagos Marine Protected Area, British Indian Ocean Territory

Size: 640,000 square kilometers

Date established: 2010

This marine reserve, located in the central Indian Ocean, is twice the size of the UK and protects the world's largest coral atoll and one of the most pristine reefs in the world. Thanks to a generous donation from the Bertarelli Foundation (funded by Italian-born Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli), the policing of this no-take protected area will be funded through 2015. The Chagos Archipelago comprises 55 tiny islands home to 20 species of coral, 784 different species of fish, green and Hawksbill turtles, 18 species of birds, and the world's largest terrestrial arthropod: the coconut crab.

Although this protected area is roughly the size of California, its total land area is just 9.7 square miles. PIPA includes all eight atolls and low reef islands of the Kiribati section of the Phoenix Islands, and its abundance of extinct underwater volcanoes provide a variety of marine habitats. Conservation International named the Phoenix Islands as a Key Biodiversity Area and five of the eight islands were named Important Bird Areas by Birdlife International. This area is home to what is believed to be the the largest concentrations of some species in the world, including the vulnerable white-throated (Polynesian) storm-petrel, lesser frigatebird and blue noddy.

4. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii and the Midway Atoll

Size: 360,000 square kilometers

Date established: 2006

Papahanaumokuakea became the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site when it made the list on July 30, 2010. The unique nomination recognized the area's significant biological and cultural importance. Indigenous Hawaiians navigated these waters for thousands of years and modern Hawaiians still travel through the area in traditional double-hulled sailing canoes for navigational training. In addition, Papahanaumokuakea is a nesting and foraging ground for 14 million seabirds and one of the last predator-dominated coral reef ecosystems on Earth with an abundance of sharks and jacks.

This protected area includes ten islands and atolls in the northwest main Hawaiian Archipelago and includes the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Battle of Midway National Memorial, Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary at Kure Atoll and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands State Marine Refuge.

5. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia

Size: 345,400 square kilometers

Date established: 1975

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef (and largest living structure) on the planet, and was elected a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. The marine park includes 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and approximately 150 inshore mangrove islands. Home to 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusk and endangered species including the dugong and the large green turtle, this area is of significant scientific interest and biological importance.

This extensive network of parks (also called KAZA) provides vital transfrontier wildlife corridors for species such as lion, zebra, wildebeest and Africa's largest contigous elephant populations. KAZA includes 17 different game and national parks including Victoria Falls National Park (pictured) and Zambezi National Park.

7. Galápagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador

Size: 133,000 square kilometers

Date established: 1986

When Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos in 1835, he was struck by how much species varied from island to island. In fact, his observations of the different iguanas, tortoises and -- in particular -- finches during his initial five-week visit inspired his theory of evolution. Found at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos has a unique mix of marine species, such as sharks and rays. In addition, the unique altitude, orientation and extreme isolation of the islands led to the evolution of an unusual array of terrestrial wildlife. The Galápagos boasts many different reptiles including lizards, geckos and 11 subspecies of giant tortoises. With the exception of two marine tortoises, these reptiles are all endemic. Notable birds include a vast array of Darwin's finches, the Galápagos flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguin and lava gull.

8. Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Size: 99,800 square kilometers

Date established: 2002

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park covers regions of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, creating a transborder wilderness including some of the most established wildlife areas in Southern Africa such as Kruger National Park and Limpopo National Park. Visitors to the area can see the continent's famous Big 5: Lions, leopards, African elephants, cape buffalo and rhinoceros.